BENGALURU: Food courts or canteens in universities and their affiliated colleges will have to mandatorily get licences as stipulated under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006. If not, the establishments will be shut down.
In an official communication to all universities and higher education institutions across the nation, the University Grants Commission (UGC) said the Act provides a framework to regulate the manufacture, storage,
distribution and sale of food to ensure safety. Regulation 2.1.2 of the Food Safety and Standards stipulates
that “no person shall commence any food business unless he possesses a valid licence,” it said.
The UGC said it has taken note that canteens/messes and other food establishments in various educational institutions have been operating without licences.The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will also organise training for handlers working in food establishments of educational institutions to provide safe and wholesome food to students, UGC said in the communication.